Rose, S. 2007. The Medieval Sea. - London & New York, Hambledon Continuum

Abstract

This book by Susan Rose deals with aspects of the sea and seafaring in Medieval times in northern Europe, The Mediterranean and North Africa. Through time (the period 1000-1500 AD) Rose illustrates the differences in Europe in attitudes towards the sea, in shipbuilding practises and how changing coastlines and rising sea levels together with change in the political climate could alter all this in decades. In her fi rst chapter she touches on the fear of some and the adventure it brought to others to venture out to sea, as is vividly described in Anglo- Saxon and Old Norse literature. This attitude would change in the centuries to come as seafaring became increasingly important in social and economic terms.